Rival camps within the Peoples Democratic Party have voiced optimism as the Court of Appeal prepares to rule on the party’s prolonged leadership dispute.
The factions aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and those supported by several PDP governors each maintain that legal provisions and established precedents favour their respective positions.
The appellate court is expected to deliver judgment on Monday in a number of consolidated cases related to the party’s leadership tussle.
Confirming the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, Ini Ememobong, said the court had fixed the suits for judgment.
In a similar vein, Jungudo Mohammed, spokesman for the caretaker committee backed by Wike, also verified that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja would decide the matter.
Both factions, speaking separately, expressed confidence that the verdict would be favourable to them.
The leadership crisis dates back to the party’s convention held in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, where Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee were elected to serve a four-year term.
The convention received backing from PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed.
The governors also oversaw the handover of party leadership from former acting chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9.
However, a competing faction loyal to Wike established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8. The group named Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as acting national secretary, assigning them a 60-day mandate.
Tensions escalated on November 18, 2025, when both factions attempted to convene meetings at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, resulting in chaos and physical confrontations.
Following the clashes, the Nigeria Police Force sealed the party’s secretariat, which has remained closed ever since.
Both camps later sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the electoral body declined to recognise either faction, triggering a series of legal challenges.
Among the consolidated cases before the Court of Appeal is suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which previously halted the PDP convention pending compliance with provisions of the party constitution, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act Nigeria.
The case was filed by three PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George.
Another suit was instituted by former governor Sule Lamido, in which Justice Peter Lifu barred INEC from supervising any PDP convention that excluded him as a contestant.
Other legal actions, including one originating from the Oyo State High Court, also challenge the legality of the Ibadan convention.
Commenting on the anticipated ruling, Mohammed said earlier Supreme Court of Nigeria decisions support the caretaker committee’s stance.
“The provisions of the law and the precedents already established by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal give us strong confidence that the judgment will be in our favour,” he said.
He further argued that the convention breached provisions of the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution and the PDP constitution.
In response, Ememobong stated that the Turaki-led National Working Committee remained confident in the judiciary and expected justice to prevail.
“Our optimism lies in the fact that we submitted ourselves to the jurisdiction of the courts and we believe in the judiciary in its complete sense,” he said.
He added that the party believes the law supports its position and expressed hope that the ruling would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system.
Meanwhile, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed, appealed to party members to remain calm ahead of the court’s decision.
In a statement released by its Director-General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the forum reiterated the party’s commitment to respecting the judicial process.
The statement described the judiciary as a vital institution in protecting democracy and urged members to remain peaceful before, during and after the verdict.
Earlier, Lagos PDP governorship aspirant Funso Doherty called on the President of the Court of Appeal to hasten the ruling.
In a letter dated March 5, 2026, Doherty cautioned that the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership could hinder preparations for the 2027 general election.
He noted that INEC had scheduled party primaries to commence on April 23, 2026, stressing that a timely judgment would provide clarity for the party and other stakeholders.
According to him, the outcome of the appeal will significantly shape the PDP’s internal processes and determine the legitimacy of candidates presented to voters in the next election cycle.
